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Genetic control of kernel modification found in South African quality protein maize inbred lines

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Summary

The genetic control of endosperm modification in 12 opaque-2 maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines was investigated by means of a diallel cross experiment conducted across two environments. Kernel vitreousness and kernel hardness were determined by partially dominant genes. Additive gene action was largely responsible for kernel modification. A favourable general combining ability for kernel vitreousness and kernel hardness was positively correlated with an accumulation of dominant kernel modifying genes. South African sources of endosperm modifiers have been found to be similar to those used in other quality protein maize breeding programmes. Certain inbred lines displayed sufficient genetic potential for use in a quality protein maize hybrid breeding programme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Genetics, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

    Treyor Hohls & Paul E. Shanahan

  2. Department of Statistics and Biometry, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

    G. Peter Clarke

  3. Grain Crops Institute, Agricultural Research Council, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

    Helmut O. Gevers

Authors
  1. Treyor Hohls
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  2. Paul E. Shanahan
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  3. G. Peter Clarke
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  4. Helmut O. Gevers
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Hohls, T., Shanahan, P.E., Clarke, G.P. et al. Genetic control of kernel modification found in South African quality protein maize inbred lines. Euphytica 87, 103–109 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00021882

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00021882

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